Program Overview

When you study in the Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester University, you enter a collaborative world where you learn to be a versatile and skilled artist. Through production work in all aspects of theatre and dance, you will enhance your creativity to become the problem-solving leader employers desire. Interpersonal communication and self-expression are emphasized as you become part of the global community of artists using theatre and dance as tools to inspire social change.

 

Tracks

General Studies

This allows the student to customize their degree to suit their focus.

Performance

This concentration provides with student with advanced coursework in acting, voice, and movement.

Musical Theatre

A concentration which includes focused study in dance and private voice lessons, as well as specific performance courses related to the musical theatre genre.

Design and Production

For students interested in the various areas of theatrical design--scenery, lighting, costumes, sound--as well as those interested in stage management and technical positions.

 

Program Highlights

  • A robust season of theatre and dance productions that represents a broad spectrum of genres 

  • Comprehensive curriculum

  • Three performance spaces of various sizes

  • Costume and Scenery Shops, Lighting Lab and 2 Dance Studios

  • University Dance Company and University Theatre, student organizations

  • Study Abroad Opportunities

 

What can I do with this degree?

WCU Theatre and Dance produces strong thinkers and doers through a liberal arts curriculum. Our students obtain performance, creative problem-solving, project management and leadership skills in addition to the abilities to work under deadlines, and work both individually and collaboratively.

The following pathways are available to WCU Theatre and Dance students when they graduate: 

  • A comprehensive variety of positions in the professional theatre and dance, locally, regionally, and nationally. 
  • Opportunities in arts organizations, e.g., dance companies, museums, arts centers, and music. 
  • Careers, which require excellent communication and interpersonal skills, combined with a strong liberal arts foundation. 

Graduate programs that will prepare the student for educational and professional careers. A representative list of where our students have been hired in arts administration, design, management, performance and technical areas includes: 

  • Arden Theater Company 
  • Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company 
  • Broadway/Off Broadway/National Tours 
  • Center Stage (Baltimore) 
  • Cleveland Play House 
  • Cruise Lines
  • Delaware Theatre Company 
  • Disney 
  • Guthrie Theatre 
  • Headlong Dance Company 
  • LAByrinth Theater Company
  • Lincoln Center
  • McCarter Theatre
  • McCarter Theatre 
  • NBC 
  • New York City Opera 
  • Paper Mill Playhouse 
  • Peoples Light and Theatre Company 
  • Philadelphia Theatre Company
  • Pig Iron 
  • QVC Productions 
  • Saturday Night Live 
  • SpotCo 
  • The Public Theatre 
  • Walnut Street Theatre 
  • Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company